Jin Kim: Former Wall Street restaurateur creates lovable teddy bears out of beloved materials
Jin Kim, a once prosperous Wall Street restaurant who was severely impacted by the pandemic, has discovered an unexpected second profession making one-of-a-kind memory bears.
Kim took to her sewing machine and started a successful Etsy company, JinsBearsLLC, after her favorite restaurant closed because of Superstorm Sandy and then COVID-19. She makes about 150 memory bears every week.
In order to comfort bereaved families, these unique bears are fashioned from nostalgic materials like old shirts, infant blankets, and even garments soaked in blood. Grace Kim, Kim’s business partner and daughter, told tales of customers who sent in T-shirts and materials to make meaningful bears in remembrance of loved ones who passed away.
Jin Kim got into bear sculpting as a way to make her grandson feel special for Christmas. She started an internet store with the support of her friends and family, and the demand for her unique mementos increased dramatically.
In order to accommodate the increasing demand, JinsBearsLLC, which was founded in 2021, moved from Jin’s bedroom to a studio in October 2022. Four staff were added at that time.
The bears have been quite popular, as have personalized pillows and decorations. Jin has around 7,000 sales and over 3,000 five-star ratings on Etsy for her bears. Customers who want to keep memories of their loved ones alive find sentimental value in the bears, as each one is a one-of-a-kind creation.
Julia Goodyke, a customer, was given a bear as a memento of her late brother Mark, who died in 2022 from colon cancer. For Julia and her family, the bear dressed in a Chicago Bears shirt is a moving memento that helps to preserve Mark’s memory.
According to Jin Kim, “When I touch the clothes, I’m thinking of the person that passed away, that person’s life,” she explains the deep significance of her artwork. For this reason, it has great personal significance for me and goes beyond just business. satisfying.” Jin’s bears have evolved into more than just handmade objects; for bereaved families around the nation, they are tangible links to priceless memories.
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